1
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Zhao F, Zhang K, Ma L, Huang Y. Identification of epithelial-related artificial neural network prognostic models for the prediction of bladder cancer prognosis through comprehensive analysis of single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing. Heliyon 2024; 10:e34632. [PMID: 39157397 PMCID: PMC11328080 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Bladder cancer (BLCA) presents as a heterogeneous epithelial malignancy. Progress in the early detection and effective treatment of BLCA relies heavily on the identification of novel biomarkers. Therefore, the primary goal of this study is to pinpoint potential biomarkers for BLCA through the fusion of single-cell RNA sequencing and RNA sequencing assessments. Furthermore, the aim is to establish practical clinical prognostic models that can facilitate accurate categorization and individualized therapy for patients. Methods In this research, training sets were acquired from the TCGA database, whereas validation sets (GSE32894) and single-cell datasets (GSE135337) were extracted from the GEO database. Single-cell analysis was utilized to obtain characteristic subpopulations along with their associated marker genes. Subsequently, a novel BLCA subtype was identified within TCGA-BLCA. Furthermore, an artificial neural network prognostic model was constructed within the TCGA-BLCA cohort and subsequently verified utilizing a validation set. Two machine learning algorithms were employed to screen hub genes. QRT-qPCR was performed to detect the gene expression levels utilized in the construction of prognostic models across various cell lines. Additionally, the cMAP database and molecular docking were utilized for searching small molecule drugs. Results The results of single-cell analysis revealed the presence of epithelial cells in multiple subpopulations, with 1579 marker genes selected for subsequent investigations. Subsequently, four epithelial cell subtypes were identified within the TCGA-BLCA cohort. Notably, cluster A exhibited a significant survival advantage. Concurrently, an artificial neural network prognostic model comprising 17 feature genes was constructed, accurately stratifying patient risk. Patients categorized in the low-risk group demonstrated a considerable survival advantage. The ROC analysis suggested that the model has strong prognostic ability. Furthermore, the findings of the validation group align consistently with those from the training group. Two types of machine learning algorithms screened NFIC as hub genes. Forskolin, a small molecule drug that binds to NFIC, was identified by employing a cMAP database and molecular docking. Conclusion The analysis results supplement the research on the role of epithelial cells in BLCA. An artificial neural network prognostic model containing 17 characteristic genes demonstrates the capability to accurately stratify patient risk, thereby potentially improving clinical decision-making and optimizing personalized therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zhao
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Limin Ma
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Yeqing Huang
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
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2
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Egbulefu C, Black K, Su X, Karmakar P, Habimana-Griffin L, Sudlow G, Prior J, Chukwu E, Zheleznyak A, Xu B, Xu Y, Esser A, Mixdorf M, Moss E, Manion B, Reed N, Gubin M, Lin CY, Schreiber R, Weilbaecher K, Achilefu S. Induction of complementary immunogenic necroptosis and apoptosis cell death pathways inhibits cancer metastasis and relapse. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3992212. [PMID: 38558990 PMCID: PMC10980095 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3992212/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Interactions of light-sensitive drugs and materials with Cerenkov radiation-emitting radiopharmaceuticals generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) to inhibit localized and disseminated cancer progression, but the cell death mechanisms underlying this radionuclide stimulated dynamic therapy (RaST) remain elusive. Using ROS-regenerative nanophotosensitizers coated with a tumor-targeting transferrin-titanocene complex (TiO2-TC-Tf) and radiolabeled 2-fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG), we found that adherent dying cells maintained metabolic activity with increased membrane permeabilization. Mechanistic assessment of these cells revealed that RaST activated the expression of RIPK-1 and RIPK-3, which mediate necroptosis cell death. Subsequent recruitment of the nuclear factors kappa B and the executioner mixed lineage kinase domain-like pseudo kinase (MLKL) triggered plasma membrane permeabilization and pore formation, respectively, followed by the release of cytokines and immunogenic damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). In immune-deficient breast cancer models with adequate stroma and growth factors that recapitulate the human tumor microenvironment, RaST failed to inhibit tumor progression and the ensuing lung metastasis. A similar aggressive tumor model in immunocompetent mice responded to RaST, achieving a remarkable partial response (PR) and complete response (CR) with no evidence of lung metastasis, suggesting active immune system engagement. RaST recruited antitumor CD11b+, CD11c+, and CD8b+ effector immune cells after initiating dual immunogenic apoptosis and necroptosis cell death pathways in responding tumors in vivo. Over time, cancer cells upregulated the expression of negative immune regulating cytokine (TGF-β) and soluble immune checkpoints (sICP) to challenge RaST effect in the CR mice. Using a signal-amplifying cancer-imaging agent, LS301, we identified latent minimal residual disseminated tumors in the lymph nodes (LNs) of the CR group. Despite increased protumor immunogens in the CR mice, RaST prevented cancer relapse and metastasis through dynamic redistribution of ROS-regenerative TiO2 from bones at the early treatment stage to the spleen and LNs, maintaining active immunity against cancer progression and migration. This study reveals the immune-mechanistic underpinnings of RaST-mediated antitumor immune response and highlights immunogenic reprogramming of tumors in response to RaST. Overcoming apoptosis resistance through complementary necroptosis activation paves the way for strategic drug combinations to improve cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Egbulefu
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235-9397, USA
| | - Kvar Black
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Xinming Su
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Partha Karmakar
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | | | - Gail Sudlow
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Julie Prior
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Ezeugo Chukwu
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Alex Zheleznyak
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Baogang Xu
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Yalin Xu
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Alison Esser
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Matthew Mixdorf
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Evan Moss
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Brad Manion
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Nathan Reed
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Matthew Gubin
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Chieh-Yu Lin
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Robert Schreiber
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | | | - Samuel Achilefu
- Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235-9397, USA
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3
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Ma Y, Xu X, Wang H, Liu Y, Piao H. Non-coding RNA in tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells formation and associated immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1228331. [PMID: 37671150 PMCID: PMC10475737 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1228331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has exhibited promising antitumor effects in various tumors. Infiltrated regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) restrict protective immune surveillance, impede effective antitumor immune responses, and contribute to the formation of an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Selective depletion or functional attenuation of tumor-infiltrating Tregs, while eliciting effective T-cell responses, represents a potential approach for anti-tumor immunity. Furthermore, it does not disrupt the Treg-dependent immune homeostasis in healthy organs and does not induce autoimmunity. Yet, the shared cell surface molecules and signaling pathways between Tregs and multiple immune cell types pose challenges in this process. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), regulate both cancer and immune cells and thus can potentially improve antitumor responses. Here, we review recent advances in research of tumor-infiltrating Tregs, with a focus on the functional roles of immune checkpoint and inhibitory Tregs receptors and the regulatory mechanisms of ncRNAs in Treg plasticity and functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Ma
- Department of Gynecology, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute), Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xin Xu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Huaitao Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Haiyan Piao
- Medical Oncology Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology (Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute), Shenyang, Liaoning, China
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4
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Bergerhoff K, Pedersen M. Isolation and Analysis of Tumor-Infiltrating Treg. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2559:51-63. [PMID: 36180626 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2647-4_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Besides their important function in immune homeostasis, autoimmunity, and peripheral tolerance, regulatory T cells (Tregs) also play a crucial role in cancer immune evasion, by assisting tumors to shield from antitumor responses by effector cells. Tregs are recruited to infiltrate tumors and upon finding favourable conditions in the tumor microenvironment, proliferate and suppress effector T cell function thereby promoting tumor escape and growth. In human cancer patients and mouse models, a low ratio of effector T cells to Tregs is a key feature of this immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment and correlates with poor prognosis. This chapter describes protocols for the isolation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) from solid tumors, their quantification, and phenotyping via flow cytometry to assess the effector T cell:Treg ratio and the expression of relevant markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Bergerhoff
- UCL Cancer Institute, Research Department of Haematology, Cancer Immunology Unit, London, UK.
- Institute of Cancer Research, Targeted Therapy Team, London, UK.
- Quell Therapeutics, London, UK.
| | - Malin Pedersen
- Institute of Cancer Research, Targeted Therapy Team, London, UK
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5
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Matsuyama T, Yoshinaga SK, Shibue K, Mak TW. Comorbidity-associated glutamine deficiency is a predisposition to severe COVID-19. Cell Death Differ 2021; 28:3199-3213. [PMID: 34663907 PMCID: PMC8522258 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-021-00892-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations have greatly reduced COVID-19 cases, but we must continue to develop our understanding of the nature of the disease and its effects on human immunity. Previously, we suggested that a dysregulated STAT3 pathway following SARS-Co-2 infection ultimately leads to PAI-1 activation and cascades of pathologies. The major COVID-19-associated metabolic risks (old age, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity) share high PAI-1 levels and could predispose certain groups to severe COVID-19 complications. In this review article, we describe the common metabolic profile that is shared between all of these high-risk groups and COVID-19. This profile not only involves high levels of PAI-1 and STAT3 as previously described, but also includes low levels of glutamine and NAD+, coupled with overproduction of hyaluronan (HA). SARS-CoV-2 infection exacerbates this metabolic imbalance and predisposes these patients to the severe pathophysiologies of COVID-19, including the involvement of NETs (neutrophil extracellular traps) and HA overproduction in the lung. While hyperinflammation due to proinflammatory cytokine overproduction has been frequently documented, it is recently recognized that the immune response is markedly suppressed in some cases by the expansion and activity of MDSCs (myeloid-derived suppressor cells) and FoxP3+ Tregs (regulatory T cells). The metabolomics profiles of severe COVID-19 patients and patients with advanced cancer are similar, and in high-risk patients, SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to aberrant STAT3 activation, which promotes a cancer-like metabolism. We propose that glutamine deficiency and overproduced HA is the central metabolic characteristic of COVID-19 and its high-risk groups. We suggest the usage of glutamine supplementation and the repurposing of cancer drugs to prevent the development of severe COVID-19 pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshifumi Matsuyama
- Department of Pathology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan.
| | | | - Kimitaka Shibue
- Tazuke Kofukai Medical Research Institute, Kitano Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tak W Mak
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
- Department of Pathology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, 999077, Hong Kong
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6
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Modulation of regulatory T cell function and stability by co-inhibitory receptors. Nat Rev Immunol 2020; 20:680-693. [PMID: 32269380 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-020-0296-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells constitute a dynamic population that is essential for controlling immune responses in health and disease. Defects in Treg cell function and decreases in Treg cell numbers have been observed in patients with autoimmunity and the opposite effects on Treg cells occur in cancer settings. Current research on new therapies for these diseases is focused on modulating Treg cell function to increase or decrease suppressive activity in autoimmunity and cancer, respectively. In this regard, several co-inhibitory receptors that are preferentially expressed by Treg cells under homeostatic conditions have recently been shown to control Treg cell function and stability in different disease settings. These receptors could be amenable to therapeutic targeting aimed at modulating Treg cell function and plasticity. This Review summarizes recent data regarding the role of co-inhibitory molecules in the control of Treg cell function and stability, with a focus on their roles and potential therapeutic use in autoimmunity and cancer.
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7
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Mempel TR, Marangoni F. Guidance factors orchestrating regulatory T cell positioning in tissues during development, homeostasis, and response. Immunol Rev 2020; 289:129-141. [PMID: 30977195 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Over their lifetime, regulatory T cells (Treg) recalibrate their expression of trafficking receptors multiple times as they progress through development, respond to immune challenges, or adapt to the requirements of functioning in various non-lymphoid tissue environments. These trafficking receptors, which include chemokine receptors and other G-protein coupled receptors, integrins, as well as selectins and their ligands, enable Treg not only to enter appropriate tissues from the bloodstream via post-capillary venules, but also to navigate these tissues to locally execute their immune-regulatory functions, and finally to seek out the right antigen-presenting cells and interact with these, in part in order to receive the signals that sustain their survival, proliferation, and functional activity, in part in order to execute their immuno-regulatory function by altering antigen presenting cell function. Here, we will review our current knowledge of when and in what ways Treg alter their trafficking properties. We will focus on the chemokine system and try to identify specialized, non-redundant roles of individual receptors as well as similarities and differences to the conventional T cell compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorsten R Mempel
- The Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Francesco Marangoni
- The Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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8
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Jørgensen N, Persson G, Hviid TVF. The Tolerogenic Function of Regulatory T Cells in Pregnancy and Cancer. Front Immunol 2019; 10:911. [PMID: 31134056 PMCID: PMC6517506 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells, a subpopulation of suppressive T cells, are potent mediators of self-tolerance and essential for the suppression of triggered immune responses. The immune modulating capacity of these cells play a major role in both transplantation, autoimmune disease, allergy, cancer and pregnancy. During pregnancy, low numbers of regulatory T cells are associated with pregnancy failure and pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia. On the other hand, in cancer, low numbers of immunosuppressive T cells are correlated with better prognosis. Hence, maternal immune tolerance toward the fetus during pregnancy and the escape from host immunosurveillance by cancer seem to be based on similar immunological mechanisms being highly dependent on the balance between immune activation and suppression. As regulatory T cells hold a crucial role in several biological processes, they may also be promising subjects for therapeutic use. Especially in the field of cancer, cell therapy and checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated that immune-based therapies have a very promising potential in treatment of human malignancies. However, these therapies are often accompanied by adverse autoimmune side effects. Therefore, expanding the knowledge to recognize the complexities of immune regulation pathways shared across different immunological scenarios is extremely important in order to improve and develop new strategies for immune-based therapy. The intent of this review is to highlight the functional characteristics of regulatory T cells in the context of mechanisms of immune regulation in pregnancy and cancer, and how manipulation of these mechanisms potentially may improve therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Thomas Vauvert F. Hviid
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Centre for Immune Regulation and Reproductive Immunology (CIRRI), The ReproHealth Consortium ZUH, Zealand University Hospital, and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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9
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Chakraborty P, Karmakar T, Arora N, Mukherjee G. Immune and genomic signatures in oral (head and neck) cancer. Heliyon 2018; 4:e00880. [PMID: 30417146 PMCID: PMC6218671 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is responsible for a large number of deaths each year. Oral cancer is the most frequent subtype of HNSCC. Historically, oral cancer has been associated with an increase in the consumption of tobacco and alcohol products, seen especially in the Asian subcontinent. It has also been associated with infection by the human papilloma virus (HPV), particularly strain HPV16. Treatment usually involves a multidisciplinary approach of surgery combined with chemotherapy and radiation. The advent of immunotherapy has broadened the scope for treatment. A better immune response to the tumour can also elicit the action of other therapeutic approaches. A heightened immune response, on the other hand, can lead to resistant tumour formation through the process of immunoediting. Molecular profiling of the tumour microenvironment (TME) can provide us with better insight into the mechanism and progression of the disease, ultimately opening up new therapeutic options. High-throughput molecular profiling techniques over the past decade have enabled us to appreciate the heterogeneity of the TME. In this review, we will be describing the clinicopathological role of the immune and genomic landscape in oral cancer. This study will update readers on the several immunological and genetic factors that can play an important function as predictive and prognostic biomarkers in various forms of head and neck cancer, with a special emphasis on oral carcinoma.
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10
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Identification and validation of a tumor-infiltrating Treg transcriptional signature conserved across species and tumor types. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E10672-E10681. [PMID: 30348759 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1810580115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
FoxP3+ T regulatory (Treg) cells are central elements of immunologic tolerance. They are abundant in many tumors, where they restrict potentially favorable antitumor responses. We used a three-pronged strategy to identify genes related to the presence and function of Tregs in the tumor microenvironment. Gene expression profiles were generated from tumor-infiltrating Tregs (TITRs) of both human and mouse tumors and were compared with those of Tregs of lymphoid organs or normal tissues from the same individuals. A computational deconvolution of whole-tumor datasets from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was performed to identify transcripts specifically associated with Tregs across thousands of tumors from different stages and locations. We identified a set of TITR-differential transcripts with striking reproducibility between tumor types in mice, between mice and humans, and between different human patients spanning tumor stages. Many of the TITR-preferential transcripts were shared with "tissue Tregs" residing in nonlymphoid tissues, but a tumor-preferential segment could be identified. Many of these TITR signature transcripts were confirmed by mining of TCGA datasets, which also brought forth transcript modules likely representing the parenchymal attraction of, or response to, tumor Tregs. Importantly, the TITR signature included several genes encoding effective targets of tumor immunotherapy. A number of other targets were validated by CRISPR-based gene inactivation in mouse Tregs. These results confirm the validity of the signature, generating a wealth of leads for understanding the role of Tregs in tumor progression and identifying potential targets for cancer immunotherapy.
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11
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Ferrandino F, Grazioli P, Bellavia D, Campese AF, Screpanti I, Felli MP. Notch and NF-κB: Coach and Players of Regulatory T-Cell Response in Cancer. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2165. [PMID: 30364244 PMCID: PMC6193072 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Notch signaling pathway plays multiple roles in driving T-cell fate decisions, proliferation, and aberrant growth. NF-κB is a cell-context key player interconnected with Notch signaling either in physiological or in pathological conditions. This review focuses on how the multilayered crosstalk between different Notches and NF-κB subunits may converge on Foxp3 gene regulation and orchestrate CD4+ regulatory T (Treg) cell function, particularly in a tumor microenvironment. Notably, Treg cells may play a pivotal role in the inhibition of antitumor immune responses, possibly promoting tumor growth. A future challenge is represented by further dissection of both Notch and NF-κB pathways and consequences of their intersection in tumor-associated Treg biology. This may shed light on the molecular mechanisms regulating Treg cell expansion and migration to peripheral lymphoid organs thought to facilitate tumor development and still to be explored. In so doing, new opportunities for combined and/or more selective therapeutic approaches to improve anticancer immunity may be found.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paola Grazioli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Diana Bellavia
- Department of Molecular Medicine, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Maria Pia Felli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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12
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Thomas F, Donnadieu E, Charriere GM, Jacqueline C, Tasiemski A, Pujol P, Renaud F, Roche B, Hamede R, Brown J, Gatenby R, Ujvari B. Is adaptive therapy natural? PLoS Biol 2018; 16:e2007066. [PMID: 30278037 PMCID: PMC6168119 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2007066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Research suggests that progression-free survival can be prolonged by integrating evolutionary principles into clinical cancer treatment protocols. The goal is to prevent or slow the proliferation of resistant malignant cell populations. The logic behind this therapy relies on ecological and evolutionary processes. These same processes would be available to natural selection in decreasing the probability of an organism's death due to cancer. We propose that organisms' anticancer adaptions include not only ones for preventing cancer but also ones for directing and retarding the evolution of life-threatening cancer cells. We term this last strategy natural adaptive therapy (NAT). The body's NAT might include a lower than otherwise possible immune response. A restrained immune response might forego maximum short-term kill rates. Restraint would forestall immune-resistant cancer cells and produce long-term durable control of the cancer population. Here, we define, develop, and explore the possibility of NAT. The discovery of NAT mechanisms could identify new strategies in tumor prevention and treatments. Furthermore, we discuss the potential risks of immunotherapies that force the immune system to ramp up the short-term kill rates of malignant cancer cells in a manner that undermines the body's NAT and accelerates the evolution of immune resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Thomas
- Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer/Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution, et Contrôle, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Emmanuel Donnadieu
- Inserm, Unité 1016, Institut Cochin, Paris, France.,Cnrs, Unité Mixte de Recherche 8104, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Guillaume M Charriere
- Interactions Host Pathogen Environment, University of Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut français de recherche pour l'exploitation de la mer, University of Perpignan Via Domitia, Montpellier, France
| | - Camille Jacqueline
- Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer/Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution, et Contrôle, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Aurélie Tasiemski
- Université de Lille-sciences et technologies, UMR 8198 Evo-Eco-Paleo, Villeneuve d'Ascq/CNRS/INSERM/CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-Unité Mixte de Recherche 8204, Lille, France
| | - Pascal Pujol
- Service de génétique médicale et chromosomique, Unité d'oncogénétique, centre hospitalier régional et universitaire de Montpellier, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, Montpellier, France
| | - François Renaud
- Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer/Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution, et Contrôle, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Benjamin Roche
- Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer/Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution, et Contrôle, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Unité mixte internationale de Modélisation Mathématique et Informatique des Systèmes Complexes, Sorbonne Université, BondyCedex, France.,Departamento de Etología, Fauna Silvestre y Animales de Laboratorio, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Rodrigo Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.,Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joel Brown
- Department of Radiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Robert Gatenby
- Department of Radiology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Beata Ujvari
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.,Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria, Australia
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13
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Shabaneh TB, Molodtsov AK, Steinberg SM, Zhang P, Torres GM, Mohamed GA, Boni A, Curiel TJ, Angeles CV, Turk MJ. Oncogenic BRAF V600E Governs Regulatory T-cell Recruitment during Melanoma Tumorigenesis. Cancer Res 2018; 78:5038-5049. [PMID: 30026331 PMCID: PMC6319620 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-0365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Treg) are critical mediators of immunosuppression in established tumors, although little is known about their role in restraining immunosurveillance during tumorigenesis. Here, we employ an inducible autochthonous model of melanoma to investigate the earliest Treg and CD8 effector T-cell responses during oncogene-driven tumorigenesis. Induction of oncogenic BRAFV600E and loss of Pten in melanocytes led to localized accumulation of FoxP3+ Tregs, but not CD8 T cells, within 1 week of detectable increases in melanocyte differentiation antigen expression. Melanoma tumorigenesis elicited early expansion of shared tumor/self-antigen-specific, thymically derived Tregs in draining lymph nodes, and induced their subsequent recruitment to sites of tumorigenesis in the skin. Lymph node egress of tumor-activated Tregs was required for their C-C chemokine receptor 4 (Ccr4)-dependent homing to nascent tumor sites. Notably, BRAFV600E signaling controlled expression of Ccr4-cognate chemokines and governed recruitment of Tregs to tumor-induced skin sites. BRAFV600E expression alone in melanocytes resulted in nevus formation and associated Treg recruitment, indicating that BRAFV600E signaling is sufficient to recruit Tregs. Treg depletion liberated immunosurveillance, evidenced by CD8 T-cell responses against the tumor/self-antigen gp100, which was concurrent with the formation of microscopic neoplasia. These studies establish a novel role for BRAFV600E as a tumor cell-intrinsic mediator of immune evasion and underscore the critical early role of Treg-mediated suppression during autochthonous tumorigenesis.Significance: This work provides new insights into the mechanisms by which oncogenic pathways impact immune regulation in the nascent tumor microenvironment. Cancer Res; 78(17); 5038-49. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamer B Shabaneh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Aleksey K Molodtsov
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Shannon M Steinberg
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Peisheng Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Gretel M Torres
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Gadisti A Mohamed
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Andrea Boni
- Spectrum Healthcare Partners, South Portland, Maine
| | - Tyler J Curiel
- Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, and Cancer Therapy & Research Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Christina V Angeles
- Department of Surgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
- Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Mary Jo Turk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire.
- Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
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14
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Huang SC, Wei PC, Hwang-Verslues WW, Kuo WH, Jeng YM, Hu CM, Shew JY, Huang CS, Chang KJ, Lee EYH, Lee WH. TGF-β1 secreted by Tregs in lymph nodes promotes breast cancer malignancy via up-regulation of IL-17RB. EMBO Mol Med 2018; 9:1660-1680. [PMID: 28993429 PMCID: PMC5709760 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201606914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Lymph node (LN) metastasis is commonly associated with systemic distant organ metastasis in human breast cancer and is an important prognostic predictor for survival of breast cancer patients. However, whether tumor‐draining LNs (TDLNs) play a significant role in modulating the malignancy of cancer cells for distant metastasis remains controversial. Using a syngeneic mouse mammary tumor model, we found that breast tumor cells derived from TDLN have higher malignancy and removal of TDLNs significantly reduced distant metastasis. Up‐regulation of oncogenic Il‐17rb in cancer cells derived from TDLNs contributes to their malignancy. TGF‐β1 secreted from regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the TDLNs mediated the up‐regulation of Il‐17rb through downstream Smad2/3/4 signaling. These phenotypes can be abolished by TGF‐β1 neutralization or depletion of Tregs. Consistently, clinical data showed that the up‐regulation of IL‐17RB in cancer cells from LN metastases correlated with the increased prevalence of Tregs as well as the aggressive growth of tumors in mouse xenograft assay. Together, these results indicate that Tregs in TDLNs play an important role in modulating the malignancy of breast cancer cells for distant metastasis. Blocking IL‐17RB expression could therefore be a potential approach to curb the process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pei-Chi Wei
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Wen-Hung Kuo
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Ming Jeng
- Department of Pathology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Mei Hu
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jin-Yuh Shew
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chiun-Sheng Huang
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - King-Jen Chang
- Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Eva Y-Hp Lee
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Wen-Hwa Lee
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan .,Institute of New Drug Development, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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15
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Induction of anergic or regulatory tumor-specific CD4 + T cells in the tumor-draining lymph node. Nat Commun 2018; 9:2113. [PMID: 29844317 PMCID: PMC5974295 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04524-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
CD4+ T cell antitumor responses have mostly been studied in transplanted tumors expressing secreted model antigens (Ags), while most mutated proteins in human cancers are not secreted. The fate of Ag-specific CD4+ T cells recognizing a cytoplasmic Ag in mice bearing autochthonous tumors is still unclear. Here we show, using a genetically engineered lung adenocarcinoma mouse model, that naive tumor-specific CD4+ T cells are activated and proliferate in the tumor-draining lymph node (TdLN) but do not differentiate into effectors or accumulate in tumors. Instead, these CD4+ T cells are driven toward anergy or peripherally-induced Treg (pTreg) differentiation, from the early stage of tumor development. This bias toward immune suppression is restricted to the TdLN, and is maintained by Tregs enriched in the tumor Ag-specific cell population. Thus, tumors may enforce a dominant inhibition of the anti-tumor CD4 response in the TdLN by recapitulating peripheral self-tolerance mechanisms. Tumor neoantigens can be drained to the lymph nodes, but the nature and the significance of the induced immune responses are still unclear. Here the authors use a mouse genetic tumor model to show that tumor-specific CD4 T cells can become anergic or suppressive in the draining lymph node to modulate tumor immunity.
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16
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Marangoni F, Zhang R, Mani V, Thelen M, Ali Akbar NJ, Warner RD, Äijö T, Zappulli V, Martinez GJ, Turka LA, Mempel TR. Tumor Tolerance-Promoting Function of Regulatory T Cells Is Optimized by CD28, but Strictly Dependent on Calcineurin. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 200:3647-3661. [PMID: 29661826 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1701220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Treg) restrain immune responses against malignant tumors, but their global depletion in cancer patients will likely be limited by systemic autoimmune toxicity. Instead, approaches to "tune" their activities may allow for preferential targeting of tumor-reactive Treg. Although Ag recognition regulates Treg function, the roles of individual TCR-dependent signaling pathways in enabling Treg to promote tumor tolerance are not well characterized. In this study, we examined in mouse tumor models the role of calcineurin, a key mediator of TCR signaling, and the role of the costimulatory receptor CD28 in the differentiation of resting central Treg into effector Treg endowed with tumor tropism. We find that calcineurin, although largely dispensable for suppressive activity in vitro, is essential for upregulation of ICOS and CTLA-4 in Treg, as well as for expression of chemokine receptors driving their accumulation in tumors. In contrast, CD28 is not critical, but optimizes the formation of tumor-homing Treg and their fitness in tumor tissue. Accordingly, although deletion of either CnB or CD28 strongly impairs Treg-mediated tumor tolerance, lack of CnB has an even more pronounced impact than lack of CD28. Hence, our studies reveal distinct roles for what has classically been defined as signal 1 and signal 2 of conventional T cell activation in the context of Treg-mediated tumor tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Marangoni
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114; .,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Ruan Zhang
- Center for Transplantation Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Vinidhra Mani
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Martin Thelen
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Noor J Ali Akbar
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Ross D Warner
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Tarmo Äijö
- Center for Computational Biology, Flatiron Institute, New York, NY 10010
| | - Valentina Zappulli
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Padua, Italy; and
| | - Gustavo J Martinez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60064
| | - Laurence A Turka
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115.,Center for Transplantation Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Thorsten R Mempel
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114; .,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
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17
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Jang JE, Hajdu CH, Liot C, Miller G, Dustin ML, Bar-Sagi D. Crosstalk between Regulatory T Cells and Tumor-Associated Dendritic Cells Negates Anti-tumor Immunity in Pancreatic Cancer. Cell Rep 2018; 20:558-571. [PMID: 28723561 PMCID: PMC5649374 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.06.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 249] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Revised: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cell infiltration constitutes a prominent feature of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA). However, the immunomodulatory function of Treg cells in PDA is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that Treg cell ablation is sufficient to evoke effective anti-tumor immune response in early and advanced pancreatic tumorigenesis in mice. This response is dependent on interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-producing cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. We show that Treg cells engage in extended interactions with tumor-associated CD11c+ dendritic cells (DCs) and restrain their immunogenic function by suppressing the expression of costimulatory ligands necessary for CD8+ T cell activation. Consequently, tumor-associated CD8+ T cells fail to display effector activities when Treg cell ablation is combined with DC depletion. We propose that tumor-infiltrating Treg cells can promote immune tolerance by suppressing tumor-associated DC immunogenicity. The therapeutic manipulation of this axis might provide an effective approach for the targeting of PDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Eun Jang
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Cristina H Hajdu
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Caroline Liot
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - George Miller
- Department of Surgery, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Michael L Dustin
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Kennedy Institute, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK.
| | - Dafna Bar-Sagi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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18
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Ellul P, Mariotti-Ferrandiz E, Leboyer M, Klatzmann D. Regulatory T Cells As Supporters of Psychoimmune Resilience: Toward Immunotherapy of Major Depressive Disorder. Front Neurol 2018; 9:167. [PMID: 29615964 PMCID: PMC5869201 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing evidence that inflammation plays a role in major depressive disorder (MDD). As the main role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) is to control inflammation, this might denote a Treg insufficiency in MDD. However, neither a qualitative nor a quantitative defect of Tregs has been ascertained and no causality direction between inflammation and depression has been established. Here, after reviewing the evidence supporting a relation between Treg insufficiency and MDD, we conclude that a novel therapeutic approach based on Treg stimulation could be valuable in at least the subset of patients with inflammatory MDD. Low-dose interleukin-2 appears to be a good candidate as it is not only a safe stimulator of Tregs in humans but also an inhibitor of pro-inflammatory Th17 lymphocytes. Here, we discuss that a thorough immune investigation as well as immunotherapy will be heuristic for deciphering the pathophysiology of MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Ellul
- Sorbonne Université, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Robert Debré Hospital, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Paris, France
| | - Encarnita Mariotti-Ferrandiz
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Immunology-Immunopathology-Immunotherapy (i3), AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Biotherapy (CIC-BTi) and Inflammation-Immunopathology-Biotherapy Department (i2B), Paris, France
| | - Marion Leboyer
- Team 15, INSERM U955 Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale (IMRB), Créteil, France.,Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Est Créteil Val de Marne (UPEC), DHU PePSY, Pôle de Psychiatrie et d'addictologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires Mondor, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Créteil, France.,Fondation FondaMental, Créteil, France
| | - David Klatzmann
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Immunology-Immunopathology-Immunotherapy (i3), AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Biotherapy (CIC-BTi) and Inflammation-Immunopathology-Biotherapy Department (i2B), Paris, France
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19
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NF-κB c-Rel Is Crucial for the Regulatory T Cell Immune Checkpoint in Cancer. Cell 2017; 170:1096-1108.e13. [PMID: 28886380 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2017.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Revised: 07/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a pivotal role in the inhibition of anti-tumor immune responses. Understanding the mechanisms governing Treg homeostasis may therefore be important for development of effective tumor immunotherapy. We have recently demonstrated a key role for the canonical nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) subunits, p65 and c-Rel, in Treg identity and function. In this report, we show that NF-κB c-Rel ablation specifically impairs the generation and maintenance of the activated Treg (aTreg) subset, which is known to be enriched at sites of tumors. Using mouse models, we demonstrate that melanoma growth is drastically reduced in mice lacking c-Rel, but not p65, in Tregs. Moreover, chemical inhibition of c-Rel function delayed melanoma growth by impairing aTreg-mediated immunosuppression and potentiated the effects of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. Our studies therefore establish inhibition of NF-κB c-Rel as a viable therapeutic approach for enhancing checkpoint-targeting immunotherapy protocols.
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20
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Lucca LE, Hafler DA. Co-inhibitory blockade while preserving tolerance: checkpoint inhibitors for glioblastoma. Immunol Rev 2017; 276:9-25. [PMID: 28258696 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The introduction of immunotherapy with checkpoint receptor blockade has changed the treatment of advanced cancers, at times inducing prolonged remission. Nevertheless, the success rate of the approach is variable across patients and different tumor types, and treatment is often accompanied by severe immune-related side effects, suggesting the importance of co-inhibitory pathway for both prevention of autoimmunity and failure of tumor rejection. A better understanding of how to uncouple anti-tumor activity from loss of self-tolerance is necessary to increase the therapeutic efficacy of checkpoint immunotherapy. In this review, we describe basic concepts of T-cell exhaustion that occur in cancer, highlighting the role of co-inhibitory receptors in contributing to this process while preventing immunopathology. By providing an overview of the current therapeutic success and immune-related burden of secondary effects of checkpoint immunotherapy, we illustrate the "double-edged sword" related to interference with immune-regulatory pathways. Finally, since achieving tumor rejection while preserving self-tolerance is particularly important for the central nervous system, we analyze the case for checkpoint immunotherapy in glioblastoma, the most common adult brain tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana E Lucca
- Departments of Neurology and Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - David A Hafler
- Departments of Neurology and Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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21
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Scirka B, Szurek E, Pietrzak M, Rempala G, Kisielow P, Ignatowicz L, Miazek A. Anti-GITR Antibody Treatment Increases TCR Repertoire Diversity of Regulatory but not Effector T Cells Engaged in the Immune Response Against B16 Melanoma. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2017. [PMID: 28638937 PMCID: PMC5688217 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-017-0479-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Crosslinking of glucocorticoid-induced TNF family-related receptor (GITR) with agonist antibodies restores cancer immunity by enhancing effector T cell (Teff) responses while interfering with intra-tumor regulatory T cell (Treg) stability and/or accumulation. However, how anti-GITR antibody infusion changes T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire of Teffs and Tregs engaged in anti-tumor immune response is unclear. Here, we used a transgenic mouse model (TCRmini) where T cells express naturally generated but limited TCR repertoire to trace the fate of individual T cells recognizing B16 melanoma in tumor-bearing mice, treated or non-treated with an anti-GITR monoclonal antibody DTA-1. Analysis of TCRs of CD4+ T cells from these mice revealed that the TCR repertoire of dominant tumor-reactive Teff clones remained rather similar in treated and non-treated mice. In contrast, both tumor-associated and peripheral TCR repertoire of Tregs, which were mostly distinct from that of Teffs, underwent DTA-1 mediated remodeling characterized by depletion of dominant clones and an emergence of more diverse, low-frequency clones bearing increased numbers of TCRs shared with Teffs. We conclude that the DTA-1 infusion eliminates activated Tregs engaged in the initial maintenance of tolerogenic niche for tumor growth, but over time, it favors tumor replenishment by Tregs expressing an array of TCRs able to compete with Teffs for recognition of the same tumor antigens which may prevent its complete eradication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bozena Scirka
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, R. Weigla 12, 53-114, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Edyta Szurek
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Maciej Pietrzak
- Mathematical Biosciences Institute, College of Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Grzegorz Rempala
- Mathematical Biosciences Institute, College of Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Pawel Kisielow
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, R. Weigla 12, 53-114, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Leszek Ignatowicz
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, R. Weigla 12, 53-114, Wrocław, Poland. .,Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, USA.
| | - Arkadiusz Miazek
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, R. Weigla 12, 53-114, Wrocław, Poland. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland.
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22
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Johnson TS, McGaha T, Munn DH. Chemo-Immunotherapy: Role of Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase in Defining Immunogenic Versus Tolerogenic Cell Death in the Tumor Microenvironment. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 1036:91-104. [PMID: 29275467 PMCID: PMC6169315 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-67577-0_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In certain settings, chemotherapy can trigger an immunogenic form of tumor cell death. More often, however, tumor cell death after chemotherapy is not immunogenic, and may be actively tolerizing. However, even in these settings the dying tumor cells may be much more immunogenic than previously recognized, if key suppressive immune checkpoints such as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) can be blocked. This is an important question, because a robust immune response to dying tumor cells could potentially augment the efficacy of conventional chemotherapy, or enhance the strength and duration of response to other immunologic therapies. Recent findings using preclinical models of self-tolerance and autoimmunity suggest that IDO and related downstream pathways may play a fundamental role in the decision between tolerance versus immune activation in response to dying cells. Thus, in the period of tumor cell death following chemotherapy or immunotherapy, the presence of IDO may help dictate the choice between dominant immunosuppression versus inflammation, antigen cross-presentation, and epitope spreading. The IDO pathway thus differs from other checkpoint-blockade strategies, in that it affects early immune responses, at the level of inflammation, activation of antigen-presenting cells, and initial cross-presentation of tumor antigens. This "up-stream" position may make IDO a potent target for therapeutic inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore S. Johnson
- Georgia Regents University (GRU), Medical College of Georgia Department of Pediatrics; GRU Cancer Center, Cancer immunology, Inflammation and Tolerance (CIT) Program; GRU Cancer Center, Pediatric Immunotherapy Program, , Phone: (706)-721-8735
| | - Tracy McGaha
- Georgia Regents University (GRU), Medical College of Georgia Department of Medicine; GRU Cancer Center, Cancer immunology, Inflammation and Tolerance (CIT) Program
| | - David H. Munn
- Georgia Regents University (GRU), Medical College of Georgia Department of Pediatrics; GRU Cancer Center, Cancer immunology, Inflammation and Tolerance (CIT) Program; GRU Cancer Center, Pediatric Immunotherapy Program, , Phone: (706)-721-7141
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23
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Abstract
The critical contribution of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T-regulatory cells (Treg) to immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment is well-established. Whereas the mechanisms that drive the generation and accumulation of Treg in tumors have been an active area of study, the information on their origin and population dynamics remains limited. In this review, we discuss the ontogeny of tumor-associated Treg in light of the recently identified lineage markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingsheng Li
- a Department of Microbiology and Immunology , School of Medicine, University of Louisville , Louisville , KY , USA
| | - Nejat K Egilmez
- a Department of Microbiology and Immunology , School of Medicine, University of Louisville , Louisville , KY , USA
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24
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Courau T, Nehar-Belaid D, Florez L, Levacher B, Vazquez T, Brimaud F, Bellier B, Klatzmann D. TGF- β and VEGF cooperatively control the immunotolerant tumor environment and the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies. JCI Insight 2016; 1:e85974. [PMID: 27699271 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.85974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tregs imprint an early immunotolerant tumor environment that prevents effective antitumor immune responses. Using transcriptomics of tumor tissues, we identified early upregulation of VEGF and TGF-β pathways compatible with tolerance imprinting. Silencing of VEGF or TGF-β in tumor cells induced early and pleiotropic modulation of immune-related transcriptome signatures in tumor tissues. These were surprisingly similar for both silenced tumors and related to common downstream effects on Tregs. Silencing of VEGF or TGF-β resulted in dramatically delayed tumor growth, associated with decreased Tregs and myeloid-derived suppressor cells and increased effector T cell activation in tumor infiltrates. Strikingly, co-silencing of TGF-β and VEGF led to a substantial spontaneous tumor eradication rate and the combination of their respective inhibitory drugs was synergistic. VEGF and/or TGF-β silencing also restored tumor sensitivity to tumor-specific cell therapies and markedly improved the efficacy of anti-PD-1/anti-CTLA-4 treatment. Thus, TGF-β and VEGF cooperatively control the tolerant environment of tumors and are targets for improved cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan Courau
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University of Paris, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR_S 959, Paris, France
| | - Djamel Nehar-Belaid
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University of Paris, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR_S 959, Paris, France
| | - Laura Florez
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University of Paris, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR_S 959, Paris, France
| | - Béatrice Levacher
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University of Paris, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR_S 959, Paris, France
| | - Thomas Vazquez
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University of Paris, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR_S 959, Paris, France
| | - Faustine Brimaud
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University of Paris, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR_S 959, Paris, France.,AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Department of Biotherapies, Clinical Investigation Center in Biotherapy and Inflamation-Immunopathology-Biotherapy Department (DHU I2B), F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Bertrand Bellier
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University of Paris, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR_S 959, Paris, France
| | - David Klatzmann
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC University of Paris, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR_S 959, Paris, France.,AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Department of Biotherapies, Clinical Investigation Center in Biotherapy and Inflamation-Immunopathology-Biotherapy Department (DHU I2B), F-75013, Paris, France
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25
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Mezzapelle R, Rrapaj E, Gatti E, Ceriotti C, Marchis FD, Preti A, Spinelli AE, Perani L, Venturini M, Valtorta S, Moresco RM, Pecciarini L, Doglioni C, Frenquelli M, Crippa L, Recordati C, Scanziani E, de Vries H, Berns A, Frapolli R, Boldorini R, D'Incalci M, Bianchi ME, Crippa MP. Human malignant mesothelioma is recapitulated in immunocompetent BALB/c mice injected with murine AB cells. Sci Rep 2016; 6:22850. [PMID: 26961782 PMCID: PMC4785401 DOI: 10.1038/srep22850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant Mesothelioma is a highly aggressive cancer, which is difficult to diagnose and treat. Here we describe the molecular, cellular and morphological characterization of a syngeneic system consisting of murine AB1, AB12 and AB22 mesothelioma cells injected in immunocompetent BALB/c mice, which allows the study of the interplay of tumor cells with the immune system. Murine mesothelioma cells, like human ones, respond to exogenous High Mobility Group Box 1 protein, a Damage-Associated Molecular Pattern that acts as a chemoattractant for leukocytes and as a proinflammatory mediator. The tumors derived from AB cells are morphologically and histologically similar to human MM tumors, and respond to treatments used for MM patients. Our system largely recapitulates human mesothelioma, and we advocate its use for the study of MM development and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna Mezzapelle
- Chromatin Dynamics Unit, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, San Raffaele Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Eltjona Rrapaj
- Chromatin Dynamics Unit, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, San Raffaele Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Elena Gatti
- Chromatin Dynamics Unit, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, San Raffaele Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Chiara Ceriotti
- Chromatin Dynamics Unit, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, San Raffaele Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco De Marchis
- Chromatin Dynamics Unit, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, San Raffaele Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Antonello E Spinelli
- Experimental Imaging Center, San Raffaele Hospital, Milano, Italy.,Medical Physics Unit, San Raffaele Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Perani
- Experimental Imaging Center, San Raffaele Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Massimo Venturini
- Experimental Imaging Center, San Raffaele Hospital, Milano, Italy.,Diagnostic Radiology Unit, San Raffaele Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Valtorta
- Experimental Imaging Center, San Raffaele Hospital, Milano, Italy.,IBFM-CNR, Segrate, Italy
| | - Rosa Maria Moresco
- Experimental Imaging Center, San Raffaele Hospital, Milano, Italy.,Health Sciences Dept., Milano Bicocca University, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Claudio Doglioni
- Pathological Anatomy Laboratory, San Raffaele Hospital, Milano, Italy.,San Raffaele Vita-Salute University, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Luca Crippa
- ISTOVET, Besana in Brianza, Monza e Brianza, Italy
| | | | - Eugenio Scanziani
- Fondazione Filarete, Milano, Italy.,Università degli Studi, Milano, Italy
| | - Hilda de Vries
- Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anton Berns
- Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Renzo Boldorini
- Division of Pathology "Maggiore Della Carità" Hospital, Novara, Italy
| | | | - Marco E Bianchi
- Chromatin Dynamics Unit, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, San Raffaele Hospital, Milano, Italy.,San Raffaele Vita-Salute University, Milano, Italy
| | - Massimo P Crippa
- Chromatin Dynamics Unit, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, San Raffaele Hospital, Milano, Italy
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26
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Gottrand G, Courau T, Thomas‐Vaslin V, Prevel N, Vazquez T, Ruocco MG, Lambrecht B, Bellier B, Colombo BM, Klatzmann D. Regulatory T-cell development and function are impaired in mice lacking membrane expression of full length intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Immunology 2015; 146:657-70. [PMID: 26370005 PMCID: PMC4693902 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2014] [Revised: 08/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
To further investigate the contribution of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) to adaptive immune responses, we analysed T-cell development and function in mice lacking full-length ICAM-1 (ICAM-1(tm1Jcgr) ). Compared with wild-type (ICAM-1(WT) ) mice, ICAM-1(tm1Jcgr) mice have impaired thymocyte development. Proportions and numbers of double negative, double positive, mature CD4(+) and CD8(+) thymocytes, as well as of regulatory T (Treg) cells were also significantly decreased. In the periphery, ICAM-1(tm1Jcgr) mice had significantly decreased proportions and numbers of naive and activated/memory CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, as well as of Treg cells, in lymph nodes but not in the spleen. In vitro activation of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells from ICAM-1(tm1Jcgr) mice with anti-CD3 antibodies and antigen-presenting cells (APCs) resulted in a significantly weaker proliferation, whereas proliferation induced with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibody-coated beads was normal. In vivo immunization of ICAM-1(tm1Jcgr) mice resulted in normal generation of specific effector and memory immune responses that protect against a viral challenge. However, contrary to ICAM-1(WT) mice, immunization-induced specific effectors could not eradicate immunogen-expressing tumours. Treg cells from ICAM-1(tm1Jcgr) mice have abnormal activation and proliferation induced by anti-CD3 antibody and APCs, and have markedly decreased suppressive activity in vitro. In contrast to ICAM-1(WT) mice, they were unable to control experimentally induced colitis in vivo. Hence, our results further highlight the pleiotropic role of ICAM-1 in T-cell-dependent immune responses, with a major role in Treg cell development and suppressive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaëlle Gottrand
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyUPMC Univ Paris 06UMRS_959Sorbonne UniversitésParisFrance
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyFRE3632CNRSParisFrance
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyUMRS_959INSERMParisFrance
| | - Tristan Courau
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyUPMC Univ Paris 06UMRS_959Sorbonne UniversitésParisFrance
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyFRE3632CNRSParisFrance
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyUMRS_959INSERMParisFrance
| | - Véronique Thomas‐Vaslin
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyUPMC Univ Paris 06UMRS_959Sorbonne UniversitésParisFrance
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyFRE3632CNRSParisFrance
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyUMRS_959INSERMParisFrance
| | - Nicolas Prevel
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyUPMC Univ Paris 06UMRS_959Sorbonne UniversitésParisFrance
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyFRE3632CNRSParisFrance
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyUMRS_959INSERMParisFrance
| | - Thomas Vazquez
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyUPMC Univ Paris 06UMRS_959Sorbonne UniversitésParisFrance
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyFRE3632CNRSParisFrance
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyUMRS_959INSERMParisFrance
| | - Maria Grazia Ruocco
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyUPMC Univ Paris 06UMRS_959Sorbonne UniversitésParisFrance
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyFRE3632CNRSParisFrance
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyUMRS_959INSERMParisFrance
| | | | - Bertrand Bellier
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyUPMC Univ Paris 06UMRS_959Sorbonne UniversitésParisFrance
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyFRE3632CNRSParisFrance
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyUMRS_959INSERMParisFrance
| | - Bruno M. Colombo
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyUPMC Univ Paris 06UMRS_959Sorbonne UniversitésParisFrance
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyFRE3632CNRSParisFrance
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyUMRS_959INSERMParisFrance
- Institute of Systems and Synthetic Biology (iSSB)CNRS FRE3561Université d'Evry‐val d'EssonneGenopole91058EvryFrance
| | - David Klatzmann
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyUPMC Univ Paris 06UMRS_959Sorbonne UniversitésParisFrance
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyFRE3632CNRSParisFrance
- Immunology‐Immunopathology‐ImmunotherapyUMRS_959INSERMParisFrance
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27
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Abstract
This review explores the incessant evolutionary interaction and co-development between immune system evolution and somatic evolution, to put it into context with the short, over 60-year, detailed human study of this extraordinary protective system. Over millions of years, the evolutionary development of the immune system in most species has been continuously shaped by environmental interactions between microbes, and aberrant somatic cells, including malignant cells. Not only has evolution occurred in somatic cells to adapt to environmental pressures for survival purposes, but the immune system and its function has been successively shaped by those same evolving somatic cells and microorganisms through continuous adaptive symbiotic processes of progressive simultaneous immunological and somatic change to provide what we observe today. Indeed, the immune system as an environmental influence has also shaped somatic and microbial evolution. Although the immune system is tuned to primarily controlling microbiological challenges for combatting infection, it can also remove damaged and aberrant cells, including cancer cells to induce long-term cures. Our knowledge of how this occurs is just emerging. Here we consider the connections between immunity, infection and cancer, by searching back in time hundreds of millions of years to when multi-cellular organisms first began. We are gradually appreciating that the immune system has evolved into a truly brilliant and efficient protective mechanism, the importance of which we are just beginning to now comprehend. Understanding these aspects will likely lead to more effective cancer and other therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendon J Coventry
- Discipline of Surgery, Royal Adelaide Hospital, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Maciej Henneberg
- Biological Anthropology and Comparative Anatomy Unit, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia.,Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, The University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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28
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Abstract
This review explores the incessant evolutionary interaction and co-development between immune system evolution and somatic evolution, to put it into context with the short, over 60-year, detailed human study of this extraordinary protective system. Over millions of years, the evolutionary development of the immune system in most species has been continuously shaped by environmental interactions between microbes, and aberrant somatic cells, including malignant cells. Not only has evolution occurred in somatic cells to adapt to environmental pressures for survival purposes, but the immune system and its function has been successively shaped by those same evolving somatic cells and microorganisms through continuous adaptive symbiotic processes of progressive simultaneous immunological and somatic change to provide what we observe today. Indeed, the immune system as an environmental influence has also shaped somatic and microbial evolution. Although the immune system is tuned to primarily controlling microbiological challenges for combatting infection, it can also remove damaged and aberrant cells, including cancer cells to induce long-term cures. Our knowledge of how this occurs is just emerging. Here we consider the connections between immunity, infection and cancer, by searching back in time hundreds of millions of years to when multi-cellular organisms first began. We are gradually appreciating that the immune system has evolved into a truly brilliant and efficient protective mechanism, the importance of which we are just beginning to now comprehend. Understanding these aspects will likely lead to more effective cancer and other therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendon J Coventry
- Discipline of Surgery, Royal Adelaide Hospital, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Maciej Henneberg
- Biological Anthropology and Comparative Anatomy Unit, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia.,Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, The University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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29
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Ashdown ML, Robinson AP, Yatomi-Clarke SL, Ashdown ML, Allison A, Abbott D, Markovic SN, Coventry BJ. Chemotherapy for Late-Stage Cancer Patients: Meta-Analysis of Complete Response Rates. F1000Res 2015; 4:232. [PMID: 26834979 PMCID: PMC4706056 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.6760.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Complete response (CR) rates reported for cytotoxic chemotherapy for late-stage cancer patients are generally low, with few exceptions, regardless of the solid cancer type or drug regimen. We investigated CR rates reported in the literature for clinical trials using chemotherapy alone, across a wide range of tumour types and chemotherapeutic regimens, to determine an overall CR rate for late-stage cancers. A total of 141 reports were located using the PubMed database. A meta-analysis was performed of reported CR from 68 chemotherapy trials (total 2732 patients) using standard agents across late-stage solid cancers—a binomial model with random effects was adopted. Mean CR rates were compared for different cancer types, and for chemotherapeutic agents with different mechanisms of action, using a logistic regression. Our results showed that the CR rates for chemotherapy treatment of late-stage cancer were generally low at 7.4%, regardless of the cancer type or drug regimen used. We found no evidence that CR rates differed between different chemotherapy drug types, but amongst different cancer types small CR differences were evident, although none exceeded a mean CR rate of 11%. This remarkable concordance of CR rates regardless of cancer or therapy type remains currently unexplained, and motivates further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin L Ashdown
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew P Robinson
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | - Andrew Allison
- Centre for Biomedical Engineering (CBME), University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Derek Abbott
- Centre for Biomedical Engineering (CBME), University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | | | - Brendon J Coventry
- Department of Surgery & Tumour Immunology Laboratory, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Breast, Endocrine & Surgical Oncology Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia, Australia
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30
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Jóźwicki W, Brożyna AA, Siekiera J, Slominski AT. Expression of RCAS1 correlates with urothelial bladder cancer malignancy. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:3783-803. [PMID: 25674852 PMCID: PMC4346926 DOI: 10.3390/ijms16023783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2014] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
RCAS1 is a protein that participates in regulation of the tumor microenvironment and its immune responses, all in order to evade the immune system. The aim of this study was to analyze RCAS1 expression in urothelial bladder cancer cells (and in fibroblasts and macrophages of the tumor stroma) and its relationship with the histological pattern of malignancy. Eighty-three postcystectomy patients were enrolled. We analyzed the histological maturity (grade), progress (pT stage), tissue invasion type (TIT), nonclassic differentiation number (NDN), and the ability to metastasize (pN). The expression of RCAS1 protein was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Indicators of histological malignancy were observed solely in association with the RCAS1 expression in cells in the border parts (BPs) of the tumor. Histological malignancy of the tumor, indicated by the pT and pN, and metastasis-free survival time, correlated significantly with RCAS1 expression in tumor neoplastic cells, whereas malignancy determined by grade, TIT, and NDN correlated with RCAS1 expression in fibroblasts and macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. These findings suggest that the increased RCAS1 expression depends on its cellular source and that RCAS1 expression itself is a component of various signaling pathways. The immune escape occurs within the tumor BPs, where the increase in the RCAS1 expression occurs within tumor cells and stromal cells in its microenvironment. We conclude that the histological pattern of tumor malignancy, indicated by grade, TIT, NDN, pT, and pN is a morphological indicator of immune escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Jóźwicki
- Department of Tumor Pathology and Pathomorphology, the Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Romanowska Street 2, Bydgoszcz 85-796, Poland.
- Department of Tumor Pathology and Pathomorphology, the Franciszek Łukaszczyk Oncology Centre, Romanowska Street 2, Bydgoszcz 85-796, Poland.
| | - Anna A Brożyna
- Department of Tumor Pathology and Pathomorphology, the Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Romanowska Street 2, Bydgoszcz 85-796, Poland.
- Department of Tumor Pathology and Pathomorphology, the Franciszek Łukaszczyk Oncology Centre, Romanowska Street 2, Bydgoszcz 85-796, Poland.
| | - Jerzy Siekiera
- Department of Urology, the Franciszek Łukaszczyk Oncology Centre, Romanowska Street 2, Bydgoszcz 85-796, Poland.
| | - Andrzej T Slominski
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee HSC, 930 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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31
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Ruocco MG, Chaouat G, Florez L, Bensussan A, Klatzmann D. Regulatory T-cells in pregnancy: historical perspective, state of the art, and burning questions. Front Immunol 2014; 5:389. [PMID: 25191324 PMCID: PMC4139600 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In this review, we first revisit the original concept of "suppressor T-cells" in pregnancy, put it in a historical perspective, and then highlight the main data that licensed its resurrection and revision into the concept of "regulatory T-cells" (Tregs) in pregnancy. We review the evidence for a major role of Tregs in murine and human pregnancy and discuss Treg interactions with dendritic and uterine natural killer cells, other players of maternal-fetal tolerance. Finally, we highlight what we consider as the most important questions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grazia Ruocco
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMRS 959, Immunology-Immunopathology-Immunotherapy (I3), Paris, France
- INSERM, UMRS 959, Immunology-Immunopathology-Immunotherapy (I3), Paris, France
| | | | - Laura Florez
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMRS 959, Immunology-Immunopathology-Immunotherapy (I3), Paris, France
- INSERM, UMRS 959, Immunology-Immunopathology-Immunotherapy (I3), Paris, France
| | | | - David Klatzmann
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMRS 959, Immunology-Immunopathology-Immunotherapy (I3), Paris, France
- INSERM, UMRS 959, Immunology-Immunopathology-Immunotherapy (I3), Paris, France
- AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Biotherapy (CIC-BTi) and Inflammation-Immunopathology-Biotherapy Department (i2B), Paris, France
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32
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Abstract
For decades the primary available cancer therapies were relatively nonspecific cytotoxic agents which, while effective in some patients, were limited by narrow therapeutic indices, extensive toxicity and development of resistance, likely due to tumor heterogeneity. Although these chemotherapies remain common tools of conventional treatment, the approval of a growing number of tumor antigen (TA)-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) by the US Food and Drug Administration has driven a shift in the paradigm of cancer therapy. For a subset of patients with lymphoma, colorectal, head and neck, and breast cancers, the inclusion of rituximab (anti-CD20), cetuximab (anti-human epidermal growth factor 1), and trastuzumab (anti-human epidermal growth factor 2) has resulted in overall improved clinical response rates and survival advantages. The mechanisms that contribute to these effects are limited not only to inhibition of signaling pathways but also include cell-mediated cytotoxicity by innate immune cells and priming of effector cells of adoptive immunity triggered by the TA-specific mAb. However, as the use of these therapeutic mAbs has become more widespread, it has been observed that there is significant variability of response in patients treated with these agents. Thus, the factors that mediate this variability in clinical responses must be elucidated to optimize the use of TA-specific mAbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumita Trivedi
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Hyun-Bae Jie
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Robert L Ferris
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA; Cancer Immunology Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA.
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33
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Bauer CA, Kim EY, Marangoni F, Carrizosa E, Claudio NM, Mempel TR. Dynamic Treg interactions with intratumoral APCs promote local CTL dysfunction. J Clin Invest 2014; 124:2425-40. [PMID: 24812664 DOI: 10.1172/jci66375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Tregs control various functions of effector T cells; however, where and how Tregs exert their immunomodulatory effects remain poorly understood. Here we developed a murine model of adoptive T cell therapy and found that Tregs induce a dysfunctional state in tumor-infiltrating CTLs that resembles T cell exhaustion and is characterized by low expression of effector cytokines, inefficient cytotoxic granule release, and coexpression of coinhibitory receptors PD-1 and TIM-3. Induction of CTL dysfunction was an active process, requiring local TCR signals in tumor tissue. Tregs infiltrated tumors only subsequent to Ag-dependent activation and expansion in tumor-draining LNs; however, Tregs also required local Ag reencounter within tumor tissue to induce CTL dysfunction and prevent tumor rejection. Multiphoton intravital microscopy revealed that in contrast to CTLs, Tregs only rarely and briefly interrupted their migration in tumor tissue in an Ag-dependent manner and formed unstable tethering-interactions with CD11c+ APCs, coinciding with a marked reduction of CD80 and CD86 on APCs. Activation of CTLs by Treg-conditioned CD80/86lo DCs promoted enhanced expression of both TIM-3 and PD-1. Based on these data, we propose that Tregs locally change the costimulatory landscape in tumor tissue through transient, Ag-dependent interactions with APCs, thus inducing CTL dysfunction by altering the balance of costimulatory and coinhibitory signals these cells receive.
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34
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Attridge K, Walker LSK. Homeostasis and function of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in vivo: lessons from TCR-transgenic Tregs. Immunol Rev 2014; 259:23-39. [PMID: 24712457 PMCID: PMC4237543 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The identification of CD25 and subsequently Forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3) as markers for regulatory T cells (Tregs) has revolutionized our ability to explore this population experimentally. In a similar vein, our understanding of antigen-specific Treg responses in vivo owes much to the fortuitous generation of T-cell receptor (TCR)-transgenic Tregs. This has permitted tracking of Tregs with a defined specificity in vivo, facilitating analysis of how encounter with cognate antigen shapes Treg homeostasis and function. Here, we review the key lessons learned from a decade of analysis of TCR-transgenic Tregs and set this in the broader context of general progress in the field. Use of TCR-transgenic Tregs has led to an appreciation that Tregs are a highly dynamic proliferative population in vivo, rather than an anergic population as they were initially portrayed. It is now clear that Treg homeostasis is positively regulated by encounter with self-antigen expressed on peripheral tissues, which is likely to be relevant to the phenomenon of peripheral repertoire reshaping that has been described for Tregs and the observation that the Treg TCR specificities vary by anatomical location. Substantial evidence has also accumulated to support the role of CD28 costimulation and interleukin-2 in Treg homeostasis. The availability of TCR-transgenic Tregs has enabled analysis of Treg populations that are sufficient or deficient in particular genes, without the comparison being confounded by repertoire alterations. This approach has yielded insights into genes required for Treg function in vivo, with particular progress being made on the role of ctla-4 in this context. As the prospect of manipulating Treg populations in the clinic becomes reality, a full appreciation of the rules governing their homeostasis will prove increasingly important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kesley Attridge
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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35
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Priceman SJ, Shen S, Wang L, Deng J, Yue C, Kujawski M, Yu H. S1PR1 is crucial for accumulation of regulatory T cells in tumors via STAT3. Cell Rep 2014; 6:992-999. [PMID: 24630990 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2013] [Revised: 01/14/2014] [Accepted: 02/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
S1PR1 signaling has been shown to restrain the number and function of regulatory T (Treg) cells in the periphery under physiological conditions and in colitis models, but its role in regulating tumor-associated T cells is unknown. Here, we show that S1PR1 signaling in T cells drives Treg accumulation in tumors, limits CD8(+) T cell recruitment and activation, and promotes tumor growth. T-cell-intrinsic S1PR1 affects Treg cells, but not CD8(+) T cells, as demonstrated by adoptive transfer models and transient pharmacological S1PR1 modulation. An increase in S1PR1 in CD4(+) T cells promotes STAT3 activation and JAK/STAT3-dependent Treg tumor migration, whereas STAT3 ablation in T cells diminishes tumor-associated Treg accumulation and tumor growth. Our study demonstrates a stark contrast between the consequences of S1PR1 signaling in Treg cells in the periphery versus tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saul J Priceman
- Department of Cancer Immunotherapeutics and Tumor Immunology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Shudan Shen
- Department of Cancer Immunotherapeutics and Tumor Immunology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Cancer Immunotherapeutics and Tumor Immunology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Jiehui Deng
- Department of Cancer Immunotherapeutics and Tumor Immunology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Chanyu Yue
- Department of Cancer Immunotherapeutics and Tumor Immunology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Maciej Kujawski
- Department of Immunology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Hua Yu
- Department of Cancer Immunotherapeutics and Tumor Immunology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
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36
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Ghochikyan A, Davtyan A, Hovakimyan A, Davtyan H, Poghosyan A, Bagaev A, Ataullakhanov RI, Nelson EL, Agadjanyan MG. Primary 4T1 tumor resection provides critical "window of opportunity" for immunotherapy. Clin Exp Metastasis 2014; 31:185-98. [PMID: 24096737 PMCID: PMC3946940 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-013-9619-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2013] [Accepted: 09/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
It is believed that primary tumor resection modulates host-tumor immune interaction, but this has not been characterized in a stringent breast cancer tumor model. This report, using the 4T1 murine mammary tumor model, characterizes for the first time the dynamic longitudinal changes in immunosuppressive and effector components of the immune system after resection of an established orthotopic primary tumor with a defined natural history of developing lung metastases. More specifically, we analyzed changes of absolute numbers and frequencies of MDSC, regulatory T cells (Treg), as well as activated CD4 and CD8 positive T cells in spleens and, in some studies, lungs of 4T1 tumor-bearing mice and mice after primary tumor resection. Importantly, using mathematical analyses we established that primary resection of an orthotopic tumor had created a "window of opportunity" with decreased tumor-associated immune suppression that existed for approximately 10 days. Although tumor resection did slightly prolong survival, it did not affect the ultimate development of metastatic disease since animals with resected tumors or intact primary tumors eventually died by day 47 and 43, respectively. This window of opportunity likely occurs in humans providing a rationale and parameters for integration and testing of immunotherapeutic strategies in this critical "window of opportunity" to combat the development of metastatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anahit Ghochikyan
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Molecular Medicine, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
| | - Arpine Davtyan
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Molecular Medicine, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
| | - Armine Hovakimyan
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Molecular Medicine, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
| | - Hayk Davtyan
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Molecular Medicine, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
- The Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Anna Poghosyan
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Molecular Medicine, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
| | | | | | - Edward L. Nelson
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Michael G. Agadjanyan
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Molecular Medicine, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
- The Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
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Jie HB, Gildener-Leapman N, Li J, Srivastava RM, Gibson SP, Whiteside TL, Ferris RL. Intratumoral regulatory T cells upregulate immunosuppressive molecules in head and neck cancer patients. Br J Cancer 2013; 109:2629-35. [PMID: 24169351 PMCID: PMC3833228 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2013.645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2013] [Revised: 07/25/2013] [Accepted: 09/26/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Although regulatory T cells (Treg) are highly enriched in human tumours compared with peripheral blood, expression of the immune-checkpoint receptors, immunosuppressive molecules and function of Treg in these two sites remains undefined. Methods: Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes and peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated from a cohort of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. The immunosuppressive phenotypes and function of intratumoral Treg were compared with those of peripheral blood Treg. Results: The frequency of immune-checkpoint receptor-positive cells was higher on intratumoral FOXP3+CD25hi Treg compared with circulating Treg (CTLA-4, P=0.002; TIM-3, P=0.002 and PD-1, P=0.002). Immunosuppressive effector molecules, LAP and ectonucleotidase CD39 were also upregulated on intratumoral FOXP3+ Treg (P=0.002 and P=0.004, respectively). CTLA-4 and CD39 were co-expressed on the majority of intratumoral FOXP3+CD4+ Treg, suggesting that these molecules have a key role in regulatory functions of these cells in situ. Notably, intratumoral Treg exhibited more potently immunosuppressive activity than circulating Treg. Conclusion: These results indicate that intratumoral Treg are more immunosuppressive than circulating Treg and CTLA-4 and CD39 expressed can be potential target molecules to inhibit suppressive activities of intratumoral Treg in situ.
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Affiliation(s)
- H-B Jie
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Darrasse-Jèze G, Podsypanina K. How numbers, nature, and immune status of foxp3(+) regulatory T-cells shape the early immunological events in tumor development. Front Immunol 2013; 4:292. [PMID: 24133490 PMCID: PMC3784046 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2013.00292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2013] [Accepted: 09/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The influence of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T-cells (Tregs) on cancer progression has been demonstrated in a large number of preclinical models and confirmed in several types of malignancies. Neoplastic processes trigger an increase of Treg numbers in draining lymph nodes, spleen, blood, and tumors, leading to the suppression of anti-tumor responses. Treg-depletion before or early in tumor development may lead to complete tumor eradication and extends survival of mice and humans. However this strategy is ineffective in established tumors, highlighting the critical role of the early Treg-tumor encounters. In this review, after discussing old and new concepts of immunological tumor tolerance, we focus on the nature (thymus-derived vs. peripherally derived) and status (naïve or activated/memory) of the regulatory T-cells at tumor emergence. The recent discoveries in this field suggest that the activation status of Tregs and effector T-cells (Teffs) at the first encounter with the tumor are essential to shape the fate and speed of the immune response across a variety of tumor models. The relative timing of activation/recruitment of anti-tumor cells vs. tolerogenic cells at tumor emergence appears to be crucial in the identification of tumor cells as friend or foe, which has broad implications for the design of cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Darrasse-Jèze
- Faculté de Médecine, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Université Paris Descartes , Paris , France ; Unité 1013, Institut National de la Santé et de le Recherche Médicale, Hôpital Necker , Paris , France ; Immunoregulation and Immunopathology Team, INEM , Paris , France
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Burocchi A, Colombo MP, Piconese S. Convergences and divergences of thymus- and peripherally derived regulatory T cells in cancer. Front Immunol 2013; 4:247. [PMID: 23986759 PMCID: PMC3753661 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2013.00247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2013] [Accepted: 08/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The expansion of regulatory T cells (Treg) is a common event characterizing the vast majority of human and experimental tumors and it is now well established that Treg represent a crucial hurdle for a successful immunotherapy. Treg are currently classified, according to their origin, into thymus-derived Treg (tTreg) or peripherally induced Treg (pTreg) cells. Controversy exists over the prevalent mechanism accounting for Treg expansion in tumors, since both tTreg proliferation and de novo pTreg differentiation may occur. Since tTreg and pTreg are believed as preferentially self-specific or broadly directed to non-self and tumor-specific antigens, respectively, the balance between tTreg and pTreg accumulation may impact on the repertoire of antigen specificities recognized by Treg in tumors. The prevalence of tTreg or pTreg may also affect the outcome of immunotherapies based on tumor-antigen vaccination or Treg depletion. The mechanisms dictating pTreg induction or tTreg expansion/stability are a matter of intense investigation and the most recent results depict a complex landscape. Indeed, selected Treg subsets may display peculiar characteristics in terms of stability, suppressive function, and cytokine production, depending on microenvironmental signals. These features may be differentially distributed between pTreg and tTreg and may significantly affect the possibility of manipulating Treg in cancer therapy. We propose here that innovative immunotherapeutic strategies may be directed at diverting unstable/uncommitted Treg, mostly enriched in the pTreg pool, into tumor-specific effectors, while preserving systemic immune tolerance ensured by self-specific tTreg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Burocchi
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS "Istituto Nazionale Tumori," Milan , Italy
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40
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Chen T, Darrasse-Jèze G, Bergot AS, Courau T, Churlaud G, Valdivia K, Strominger JL, Ruocco MG, Chaouat G, Klatzmann D. Self-specific memory regulatory T cells protect embryos at implantation in mice. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 191:2273-81. [PMID: 23913969 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1202413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play crucial roles in both fetal and tumor development. We recently showed that immunosurveillance by pre-existing CD44(high)CD62L(low) activated/memory Tregs (amTregs) specific for self-Ags protects emergent tumor cells in mice. This Treg response of a memory type is more rapid than and dominates the antitumor response of tumor-specific effector T cells. In this study, we report striking similarities between the early Treg responses to embryo and tumor implantation. Tregs are rapidly recruited to uterus-draining lymph nodes and activated in the first days after embryo implantation in both syngeneic and allogeneic matings; express the markers of the amTreg subset; and are at least in part self-Ag specific, as seen in tumor emergence. Unlike in the tumor emergence setting, however, for which preimmunization against tumor Ags is sufficient for complete tumor eradication even in the presence of Tregs, Treg depletion is additionally required for high frequencies of fetus loss after preimmunization against paternal tissue Ags. Thus, amTregs play a major role in protecting embryos in both naive and preimmune settings. This role and the ensuing therapeutic potential are further highlighted by showing that Treg stimulation, directly by low-dose IL-2 or indirectly by Fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 ligand, led to normal pregnancy rates in a spontaneous abortion-prone model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Chen
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie, University Paris 06, F-75013 Paris, France
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41
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Inflammatory monocytes are potent antitumor effectors controlled by regulatory CD4+ T cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:13085-90. [PMID: 23878221 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1300314110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study evaluates the impact of immune cell populations on metastatic development in a model of spontaneous melanoma [mice expressing the human RET oncogene under the control of the metallothionein promoter (MT/ret mice)]. In this model, cancer cells disseminate early but remain dormant for several weeks. Then, MT/ret mice develop cutaneous metastases and, finally, distant metastases. A total of 35% of MT/ret mice develop a vitiligo, a skin depigmentation attributable to the lysis of normal melanocytes, associated with a delay in tumor progression. Here, we find that regulatory CD4(+) T cells accumulate in the skin, the spleen, and tumor-draining lymph nodes of MT/ret mice not developing vitiligo. Regulatory T-cell depletion and IL-10 neutralization led to increased occurrence of vitiligo that correlated with a decreased incidence of melanoma metastases. In contrast, inflammatory monocytes/dendritic cells accumulate in the skin of MT/ret mice with active vitiligo. Moreover, they inhibit tumor cell proliferation in vitro through a reactive oxygen species-dependent mechanism, and both their depletion and reactive oxygen species neutralization in vivo increased tumor cell dissemination. Altogether, our data suggest that regulatory CD4(+) T cells favor tumor progression, in part, by inhibiting recruitment and/or differentiation of inflammatory monocytes in the skin.
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42
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Xia CQ, Chernatynskaya AV, Wasserfall CH, Wan S, Looney BM, Eisenbeis S, Williams J, Clare-Salzler MJ, Atkinson MA. Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) differentially depletes naïve and memory T cells and permits memory-type regulatory T cells in nonobese diabetic mice. BMC Immunol 2012; 13:70. [PMID: 23237483 PMCID: PMC3547787 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2172-13-70] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2012] [Accepted: 11/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background ATG has been employed to deplete T cells in several immune-mediated conditions. However, whether ATG administration affects naïve and memory T cell differently is largely unknown. The context and purpose of the study In this study, we assessed how murine ATG therapy affected T cell subsets in NOD mice, based on their regulatory and naïve or memory phenotype, as well as its influence on antigen-specific immune responses. Results Peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells post-ATG therapy declined to their lowest levels at day 3, while CD4+ T cells returned to normal levels more rapidly than CD8+ T cells. ATG therapy failed to eliminate antigen-primed T cells. CD4+ T cell responses post-ATG therapy skewed to T helper type 2 (Th2) and possibly IL-10-producing T regulatory type 1 (Tr1) cells. Intriguingly, Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) were less sensitive to ATG depletion and remained at higher levels following in vivo recovery compared to controls. Of note, the frequency of Foxp3+ Tregs with memory T cell phenotype was significantly increased in ATG-treated animals. Conclusion ATG therapy may modulate antigen-specific immune responses through inducing memory-like regulatory T cells as well as other protective T cells such as Th2 and IL-10-producing Tr1 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Qing Xia
- Department of Hematology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P.R. China.
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43
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Fiorenza S, Kenna TJ, Comerford I, McColl S, Steptoe RJ, Leggatt GR, Frazer IH. A combination of local inflammation and central memory T cells potentiates immunotherapy in the skin. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 189:5622-31. [PMID: 23144496 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1200709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive T cell therapy uses the specificity of the adaptive immune system to target cancer and virally infected cells. Yet the mechanism and means by which to enhance T cell function are incompletely described, especially in the skin. In this study, we use a murine model of immunotherapy to optimize cell-mediated immunity in the skin. We show that in vitro-derived central but not effector memory-like T cells bring about rapid regression of skin-expressing cognate Ag as a transgene in keratinocytes. Local inflammation induced by the TLR7 receptor agonist imiquimod subtly yet reproducibly decreases time to skin graft rejection elicited by central but not effector memory T cells in an immunodeficient mouse model. Local CCL4, a chemokine liberated by TLR7 agonism, similarly enhances central memory T cell function. In this model, IL-2 facilitates the development in vivo of effector function from central memory but not effector memory T cells. In a model of T cell tolerogenesis, we further show that adoptively transferred central but not effector memory T cells can give rise to successful cutaneous immunity, which is dependent on a local inflammatory cue in the target tissue at the time of adoptive T cell transfer. Thus, adoptive T cell therapy efficacy can be enhanced if CD8(+) T cells with a central memory T cell phenotype are transferred, and IL-2 is present with contemporaneous local inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Fiorenza
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia
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44
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Ireland DJ, Kissick HT, Beilharz MW. The Role of Regulatory T Cells in Mesothelioma. CANCER MICROENVIRONMENT 2012; 5:165-72. [PMID: 22302659 DOI: 10.1007/s12307-012-0100-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2011] [Accepted: 01/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Malignant mesothelioma (MM) appears to be responsive to immunotherapy. The lack of complete tumour cure as a result of many immunotherapies tested to date suggests that the immune response to MM is complex and multi-parametric. Regulatory T (Treg) cells are prevalent within murine and human mesotheliomas with their removal shown to result in tumour growth inhibition and the release of anti-tumour effector T cells from immunosuppression. The targeting of immune checkpoints as treatments for various solid tumours has recently shown promise in clinical settings. In addition, synergy between chemotherapy and immunotherapy has been demonstrated for many cancers, including mesothelioma. Here we demonstrate Treg cells as critical mediators of the anti-tumour immune response to MM and potential targets for anti-tumour immunotherapy; though the timing and dosage of Treg cell manipulating immunotherapies need to be optimised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demelza J Ireland
- School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (M502), Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia.
| | - Haydn T Kissick
- Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre, Harvard Medical School, 3 Blackfan Circle, CLS 4/430, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Manfred W Beilharz
- School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (M502), Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
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45
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Modulation of tumor tolerance in primary central nervous system malignancies. Clin Dev Immunol 2012; 2012:937253. [PMID: 22312408 PMCID: PMC3270544 DOI: 10.1155/2012/937253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2011] [Revised: 09/29/2011] [Accepted: 10/03/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Central nervous system tumors take advantage of the unique immunology of the CNS and develop exquisitely complex stromal networks that promote growth despite the presence of antigen-presenting cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. It is precisely this immunological paradox that is essential to the survival of the tumor. We review the evidence for functional CNS immune privilege and the impact it has on tumor tolerance. In this paper, we place an emphasis on the role of tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells in maintaining stromal and vascular quiescence, and we underscore the importance of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity as a myeloid-driven tumor tolerance mechanism. Much remains to be discovered regarding the tolerogenic mechanisms by which CNS tumors avoid immune clearance. Thus, it is an open question whether tumor tolerance in the brain is fundamentally different from that of peripheral sites of tumorigenesis or whether it simply stands as a particularly strong example of such tolerance.
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46
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Bergot AS, Kassianos A, Frazer IH, Mittal D. New Approaches to Immunotherapy for HPV Associated Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2011; 3:3461-95. [PMID: 24212964 PMCID: PMC3759206 DOI: 10.3390/cancers3033461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2011] [Revised: 08/26/2011] [Accepted: 08/29/2011] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer of women worldwide and is the first cancer shown to be entirely induced by a virus, the human papillomavirus (HPV, major oncogenic genotypes HPV-16 and -18). Two recently developed prophylactic cervical cancer vaccines, using virus-like particles (VLP) technology, have the potential to prevent a large proportion of cervical cancer associated with HPV infection and to ensure long-term protection. However, prophylactic HPV vaccines do not have therapeutic effects against pre-existing HPV infections and do not prevent their progression to HPV-associated malignancy. In animal models, therapeutic vaccines for persisting HPV infection can eliminate transplantable tumors expressing HPV antigens, but are of limited efficacy in inducing rejection of skin grafts expressing the same antigens. In humans, clinical trials have reported successful immunotherapy of HPV lesions, providing hope and further interest. This review discusses possible new approaches to immunotherapy for HPV associated cancer, based on recent advances in our knowledge of the immunobiology of HPV infection, of epithelial immunology and of immunoregulation, with a brief overview on previous and current HPV vaccine clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Sophie Bergot
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mails: (A.-S.B); (D.M.); Tel.: +61 (07) 3176 2769; Fax: +61 7 3176 5946
| | | | | | - Deepak Mittal
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mails: (A.-S.B); (D.M.); Tel.: +61 (07) 3176 2769; Fax: +61 7 3176 5946
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47
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Detanico T, Heiser RA, Aviszus K, Bonorino C, Wysocki LJ. Self-tolerance checkpoints in CD4 T cells specific for a peptide derived from the B cell antigen receptor. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2011; 187:82-91. [PMID: 21622865 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1002287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Linked recognition of Ag by B and T lymphocytes is ensured in part by a state of tolerance acquired by CD4 T cells to germline-encoded sequences within the B cell Ag receptor (BCR). We sought to determine how such tolerance is attained when a peptide from the BCR variable (V) region is expressed by small numbers of B cells as it is in the physiological state. Mixed bone marrow (BM) chimeras were generated using donor BM from mice with B cells that expressed a transgene (Tg)-encoded κ L chain and BM from TCR Tg mice in which the CD4 T cells (CA30) were specific for a Vκ peptide encoded by the κTg. In chimeras where few B cells express the κTg, many CA30 cells were deleted in the thymus. However, a substantial fraction survived to the CD4 single-positive stage. Among single-positive CA30 thymocytes, few reached maturity and migrated to the periphery. Maturation was strongly associated with, and likely promoted by, expression of an endogenous TCR α-chain. CD4(+) CA30 cells that reached peripheral lymphoid tissues were Ag-experienced and anergic, and some developed into regulatory cells. These findings reveal several checkpoints and mechanisms that enforce a state of self-tolerance in developing T cells specific for BCR V region sequences, thus ensuring that T cell help to B cells occurs through linked recognition of foreign Ag.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago Detanico
- Integrated Department of Immunology, National Jewish Health, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO 80206, USA
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48
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Mkrtichyan M, Ghochikyan A, Davtyan H, Movsesyan N, Loukinov D, Lobanenkov V, Cribbs DH, Laust AK, Nelson EL, Agadjanyan MG. Cancer-testis antigen, BORIS based vaccine delivered by dendritic cells is extremely effective against a very aggressive and highly metastatic mouse mammary carcinoma. Cell Immunol 2011; 270:188-97. [PMID: 21641588 PMCID: PMC3156877 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2011.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2011] [Revised: 04/21/2011] [Accepted: 05/06/2011] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Here, we analyze for the first time the immunological and therapeutic efficacy of a dendritic cell (DC) vaccine based on a cancer-testis antigen, Brother of regulator of imprinted sites (BORIS), an epigenetically acting tumor-promoting transcription factor. Vaccination of mice with DC loaded with truncated form of BORIS (DC/mBORIS) after 4T1 mammary tumor implantation induced strong anti-cancer immunity, inhibited tumor growth (18.75% of mice remained tumor-free), and dramatically lowered the number of spontaneous clonogenic metastases (50% of mice remained metastases-free). Higher numbers of immune effector CD4 and CD8 T cells infiltrated the tumors of vaccinated mice vs. control animals. Vaccination significantly decreased the number of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) infiltrating the tumor sites, but not MDSCs in the spleens of vaccinated animals. These data suggest that DC-based mBORIS vaccination strategies have significant anti-tumor activity in a therapeutic setting and will be more effective when combined with agents to attenuate tumor-associated immune suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikayel Mkrtichyan
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Molecular Medicine, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
| | - Anahit Ghochikyan
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Molecular Medicine, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
| | - Hayk Davtyan
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Molecular Medicine, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
| | - Nina Movsesyan
- The Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Dmitry Loukinov
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852
| | - Victor Lobanenkov
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852
| | - David H. Cribbs
- The Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Amanda K. Laust
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Edward L. Nelson
- Department of Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Michael G. Agadjanyan
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Institute for Molecular Medicine, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
- The Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
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Kuczma M, Kopij M, Pawlikowska I, Wang CY, Rempala GA, Kraj P. Intratumoral convergence of the TCR repertoires of effector and Foxp3+ CD4+ T cells. PLoS One 2010; 5:e13623. [PMID: 21049016 PMCID: PMC2964305 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0013623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2010] [Accepted: 08/24/2010] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The presence of Foxp3+ regulatory CD4+ T cells in tumor lesions is considered one of the major causes of ineffective immune response in cancer. It is not clear whether intratumoral Treg cells represent Treg cells pre-existing in healthy mice, or arise from tumor-specific effector CD4+ T cells and thus representing adaptive Treg cells. The generation of Treg population in tumors could be further complicated by recent evidence showing that both in humans and mice the peripheral population of Treg cells is heterogenous and consists of subsets which may differentially respond to tumor-derived antigens. We have studied Treg cells in cancer in experimental mice that express naturally selected, polyclonal repertoire of CD4+ T cells and which preserve the heterogeneity of the Treg population. The majority of Treg cells present in healthy mice maintained a stable suppressor phenotype, expressed high level of Foxp3 and an exclusive set of TCRs not used by naive CD4+ T cells. A small Treg subset, utilized TCRs shared with effector T cells and expressed a lower level of Foxp3. We show that response to tumor-derived antigens induced efficient clonal recruitment and expansion of antigen-specific effector and Treg cells. However, the population of Treg cells in tumors was dominated by cells expressing TCRs shared with effector CD4+ T cells. In contrast, Treg cells expressing an exclusive set of TCRs, that dominate in healthy mice, accounted for only a small fraction of all Treg cells in tumor lesions. Our results suggest that the Treg repertoire in tumors is generated by conversion of effector CD4+ T cells or expansion of a minor subset of Treg cells. In conclusion, successful cancer immunotherapy may depend on the ability to block upregulation of Foxp3 in effector CD4+ T cells and/or selectively inhibiting the expansion of a minor Treg subset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Kuczma
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Magdalena Kopij
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Iwona Pawlikowska
- Department of Biostatistics and the Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Cong-Yi Wang
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Grzegorz A. Rempala
- Department of Biostatistics and the Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Piotr Kraj
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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50
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Biller BJ, Guth A, Burton JH, Dow SW. Decreased ratio of CD8+ T cells to regulatory T cells associated with decreased survival in dogs with osteosarcoma. J Vet Intern Med 2010; 24:1118-23. [PMID: 20666983 DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2010.0557.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased numbers of regulatory T cells (Treg) and decreased ratios of CD8+ T cells to Treg have been shown to correlate with decreased survival times (ST) in humans with certain malignancies. A possible connection between Treg and ST in dogs with cancer has not been investigated previously. HYPOTHESIS The purpose of this study was to compare numbers of Treg and T lymphocyte subsets in dogs with osteosarcoma (OSA) to those of healthy dogs and to determine whether pretreatment values were associated with disease-free interval or with ST. We hypothesized that Treg numbers would be increased in dogs with cancer and that dogs with a high percentage of Treg would have a poorer prognosis. ANIMALS Twelve client-owned dogs with appendicular OSA were entered into a prospective clinical trial. Twenty-two healthy dogs were used as controls. METHODS The percentages and numbers of Treg and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in blood, lymph nodes, and tumors were determined with flow cytometry and compared between dogs with OSA and control dogs. RESULTS Dogs with OSA had significantly fewer circulating CD8+ T cells and significantly more Treg compared with healthy dogs. The CD8/Treg ratio also was significantly lower in dogs with OSA compared with control dogs. In dogs with OSA, a decreased CD8/Treg ratio was associated with significantly shorter STs. CONCLUSIONS These data support a role for Treg in the immune control of canine OSA and suggest that determination of the CD8/Treg ratio may be useful for assessing outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- B J Biller
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Animal Cancer Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
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